However, the price tag is hefty at just above $12,000. The Nano Crystal Coat eliminates internal reflections and removes all chromatic aberration to provide the finest picture quality. Scouting for birds in national parks and bird sanctuaries is accessible with this range. The construction is uncompromised with the new magnesium alloy barrel and fluorite elements. Nikon bird photography lenses Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Rating: 8/10 Mount: Nikon F Autofocus: Ultrasonic (ring type) Stabilised: Yes (although it's labelled as "vibration reduction") Filter size: 95mm Minimum focus distance: 2.2m Weight: 2.3kg Cost: ~1250-1500 Pros: Great zoom range It literally eliminates axial and transverse chromatic aberrations. Sir, Pls. Very informative write up, What about 200-500 mm lens? The only possible con for the lens is the electromagnetically controlled aperture. Sigma is not reporting equivalent focal lengths or f-numbers. It offers the quality and construction of Nikon, a top-notch auto-focus, and unparalleled versatility. If you are looking for the best lens for bird photography with extreme capabilities, then this universal model is worth considering. The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 is no doubt an astounding and absurdly expensive lens. Usually, hobbyist photographers are happy with a good bird in natural surroundings. Image quality is impressive, while the size of the lens makes it excellent for handheld shooting and, overall, its a great choice for bird photography. This lens keeps pushing the boundaries. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. Quick Answer - The Best Lenses for Bird Photography. The Nikon 300mm f/4E PF is the smallest 300mm f/4 lens because of its phase-fresnel (PF) technology that has subsequently been used in the F-mount 500mm f/5.6 PF and the Z-mount 800mm f/6.3. This has seen a weight saving of some 25%, though it still tips the scales at an arm-wobbling 3,810g. Taking inspiration from the Nikon 180-400mm F-mount lens, the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 was Nikons first Z-mount lens to feature a built-in 1.4X teleconverter. If you're looking for affordable options, these are the best budget telephoto lenses (opens in new tab). the best birds in flight photography lenses cost thousands of dollars, which just doesn't make sense for a beginner. If you like the idea of a 300mm f/2.8G II but in a zoom, this is your lens. Autofocus itself is very fast and image quality is fabulous. Out of the many options available for you in the market, here are the bird photography cameras that are worth the purchase. A unique Sport-VR helps take sharper images even while panning and using continuous shooting mode. In fact, for many situations, it will be too long, and f/6.3 may not be bright enough. Theres no other difference between the two versions. If youre new to wildlife photography and you have only one lens in your kit, a zoom lens is the best option since it provides you more flexibility, But if youll be switching lenses out, you can use a variety of prime lenses based on the situation and terrain you find yourself in. They, however, are prone to more lens aberrations and vignettes. A 70-300mm lens, providing them an effective focal length of 450mm. The Canon EF . Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); I have kept my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E VR AF-P as I moved from DSLR to Nikon Z5 and Z7-II. Instead, the Nikon 180-400 f/4E lens is for those shooters who shoot larger mammals and landscapes, and wider shots of animals in their habitat. but the lens you're using will quite obviously play an important part of the equation as well. It comprises 21 elements in 13 groups, having three LD (low dispersion) lens elements. The Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6G VR must be on the list of bird photography lenses purely to provide an entry. The Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm is a great introductory telephoto lens for bird photography at a very good price point. More so, it has a focal range of 70-300mm. It brought everyone into action with this insane zoom range of 150-600mm. A major plus point is that the aperture rating of f/4 is relatively fast, compared with most zoom lenses that drop to f/5.6 or f/6.3 at a similar focal length. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. You now know how to do the calculation: the 200-500 is the equivalent of 300 mm to a whopping 750 mm. When you need to nail the definitive moment in wildlife photography, this is a lens you can surely count on. It's pretty much the same weight as the Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm lenses for full-frame cameras. Sigma stops developing Micro Four Thirds lenses; APS-C "also in decline", Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration. Small and light for such a long zoom, the lens retails for about $1,000. Download our FREE Macro Photography Quick Start Guide. Triple-mode image stabilization is switchable for static and panning shots, with an additional option for applying stabilization only during exposures. Wildlife situations come and pass quickly and this lens is easy to deploy quickly, fast optics, feather weight, and has VR. The biggest advantage of this lens is its maximum aperture of f/2.8. The lens is under $600 and is among the cheapest lenses to achieve any bird photography. Want to learn more about a technical term? The next best wildlife lens is Nikons heavyweight super telephoto bazooka, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E VR. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR At a glance: 95mm filter thread 2.2m minimum focus 268mm length x 108mm diameter Weighs 2300g Nikon F mount Price: 1,399 / $1396 It has a tripod detection mode that helps minimize shutter release vibration, making it an intelligent VR workhorse. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. This lens is somewhat on the heavy side, although it still can be used handheld, and the vibration reduction reduces camera shake whether you have it on a tripod or are holding it. With birding, you will likely be using the lens with its built-in teleconverter all the time. Sony a7 III ILCE7M3/B Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera. The lens is light and compact, making it easy to carry it around when scouting for wildlife in parks and wildlife spots. Featured key specs: Notable reviews: 5. Even so, the difference isnt particularly noticeable in practical terms and the Nikon lens has the advantage of a constant-aperture design, so f/5.6 remains available throughout the zoom range, rather than dropping to f/6.3 at the long end. Nikon: Nikon Z9. The Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 is a compact and ridiculously sharp lens that is perfect for larger birds and birds in flight. The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM (and the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM (opens in new tab)) is designed for EOS R-series mirrorless cameras and offers a very different experience to a typical prime telephoto lens. The best bird photography lenses help you grab those moments. 11 Best Lenses for Macro Photography (2023) Sigma Announces Three Lenses for Nikon Z-Mount Cameras 10 Best Travel Tripods You Can Buy (in 2023) Upcoming E-Mount Lenses: . The camera is built to be used with a tripod. The lens has 11 elements (3ED) in 8 groups. The Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is a lens that works really well in birds and wildlife photography, a great tele-zoom of choice, and whose weight, although very unbalanced, we do not believe to be excessive even for carrying out wandering photographic hunting activities. It also has a retractable mechanism to cut down on stowage size, making it ideal for use anywhere and everywhere from local sporting events to wildlife shoots in far-flung corners of the world. Let us know which is your favorite lens for bird photography. As we've touched on, Canon's EF 100-400mm zoom has been an incredibly popular lens for Canon DSLR shooters, so it's no surprize to see something arrive for the brand's EOS R range of full-frame mirrorless cameras. An image stabilization system that reduces the effects of camera shake and the consequent blur that causes. This lens will let you shoot birds up close, and although the zoom isn't the longest out there, it will still allow you to capture birds in the distance. 1. Its main advantage over the 600mm f/4 is its weight and its length. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 is our choice as the best lens for bird photography. The addition of highly effective optical VR that works in tandem with IBIS in Z system full-frame cameras should ensure exceptionally sharp avian images. If you dont have your lens with you, it cant help you capture stunning bird images, so youll want to factor in the weight of lens you choose. Important command dials for wildlife and bird photography are located on the camera body itself. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Still, it is heavy and big to carry around and takes time to set up. As in the Sigma and Tamron lenses, this enables more consistency in rapid-fire exposures but, with older Nikon bodies, youll only be able to shoot at the widest aperture. Focusing is very swift on Canon's two new mirrorless cameras, but could be quicker on the R and RP. A fixed f/11 aperture isn't quite as limiting as it might first appear as thanks to the Dual Pixel AF sensor-based autofocus systems of EOS R-series cameras. The Sports model is a superior lens for photographing birds. If you like birds, you might also like to see the best camera for wildlife (opens in new tab), as well as the best bird feeder cameras. It has a vibration reduction of up to 5.5 stops. The one thing I would not use this lens for is birding. Its equivalent focal range is so large, at 190-810mm, it just may inspire wildlife photographers to switch to the compact mirrorless Nikon 1 line of cameras. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. The optical image stabilizer is effective on its own and even better when coupled with in-body stabilization, featured in later Sony Alpha A7 and A9 mirrorless cameras. Its my favorite because i can get it up and shooting anytime Im in a hurry, which is often. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Lenses are the second half, and in some cases, the better half. For Nikon, a good choice is the Nikon 200-500mm lens for DSLR cameras. Additionally, some good wildlife lenses simply are not available for Z-mount, such as a 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4. The auto-focus works a charm in broad daylight. This makes the lens very versatile, giving 400mm and 560mm at the flick of a switch. Id love to hear in the comments! Guide To Nikon Cameras For Birds. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens Deputy Director of Audubon North Carolina Walker Golder uses the discontinued Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR lens on his Nikon DSLR to capture images of birds. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It has very impressive optical features and it delivers exceptionally good-looking images, especially at its maximum aperture of f/2.8. It is a massive lens for a reason its large aperture of f/2.8 requires huge glass elements to transmit so much light into the camera. The lens needs to be ready for the same. These large animals often need much wider focal lengths around 200mm and it would be difficult to capture them with a fixed prime in all situations. Hey Im Peter. Sold all other FX lenses to get a full set of Z lenses. View at Amazon. But lenses are an expensive purchase, so its important to really think through your decision about which Nikon lens to buy for bird photography. The NIKKOR 200-500mm also features an autofocus system that you can override by turning the manual focus ring. See sample zoom photography (View in a lightbox) View the COOLPIX P1000 Product Tour . Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Impeccably turned out, the XF100-400mm looks and feels a high-quality item Looks arent deceiving either, as the internals include a super-fast autofocus system based on dual linear stepping motors, and a high-performance 5-stop optical stabilizer. Compatible Camera Mount: Canon EF Features Dust And Water Resistant Design Autofocus Is Both Smooth And Quiet Wide Focal Range Allows A Wide Variety Of Shots This is the lens that will get you to 800mm at f/5.6 with a 2x teleconverter! With advancement, the quality has come quite close to prime. It also makes it very easy to use teleconverters, especially the built-in 1.4x TC. It is also dust and moisture resistant, and built for rough conditions, like the home of the birds. It was originally introduced as an answer to third-party large focal length telephoto zoom lenses. The next big jump (in terms of size, weight and cost) gets us to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II a phenomenal lens. Since this lens offers a 1.4X TC with still excellent image quality and significant 850g weight savings over the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E, this new Z mount 400mm f/2.8 could indeed be the ultimate wildlife lens. VR: Vibration Reduction is essential in unforgiving conditions. For longer reach, you can use the Nikon TC-14E III, which will give you 840mm of effective focal length to work with at f/5.6, although it certainly does not reach the insane resolving power of the native 800mm f/5.6 as we have shown in our tests on Photography Life. Its also not quite as sharp, but it comes very close and its overall image quality is pleasing. When youre ready to invest a big budget in your bird photography, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm will help you take your photos to the next level. A stunning lens if you can justify the price - see our full Nikon 600mm f/4E FL ED VR review (opens in new tab). If you're shooting on the Nikon Z-mount system, then the newly released 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 is a good choice. Panasonic DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Asph. Sharpness, contrast and other image attributes are excellent and very consistent throughout the entire zoom range. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! The uprated ring-type autofocus system is faster and more accurate, and a fluorine coating is added to the front element. But it is only half part of the story. Many hobbyists are foraying into this field who start with a crop frame body. If youre looking for the longest reach without teleconverters, the Nikon 800mm f/6.3 is your lens! Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR A good option zoom lens for bird photography and it comes at a reasonable cost. The silent wave matter is added for an extra-fast and noise-free bird photography experience. The cost difference between the two is significant. Birds are often tiny, very fast, and since it happens in the wild, theres no control over the light. The best lenses for bird photography provide you with enough magnification to fill the frame with a feathery subject and have a fast enough autofocus to track it as it moves. Then again, for maximum image quality at the longer focal lengths, the 600mm f/4 TC VR S would be the one to beat. What is the best one you would suggest for wild life (perched birds) with Z6 and FTZ adapter ? Built from the ground up as an APS-C format lens, it only needs to produce a relatively small image circle, compared with a full-frame compatible lens, but is still pretty weighty for a 100-400mm zoom. Reviews - The Best Wildlife Photography Budget Lens Sigma 60 - 600mm f/4.5 - 6.3 Specs Type: Zoom Aperture: f/4.5 - 6.3 Dimensions: 4.7 x 12.7 x 10.6 in Focal Length: 60 - 600mm Weight: 4 lbs. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. For bird photography, the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 Contemporary is the perfect complement to the S5's light and streamlined ergonomics perfect for the hand-held photographer on the go. We've tested the best lenses for bird photography to bring you options for a range of prices, from budget telephoto lenses to professional lenses. The Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3s main application is birds and other small animals. This Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM super-telephoto lens for Canon EOS R-series full-frame mirrorless cameras gives phenomenal reach but is much smaller and more lightweight than competing lenses for DSLRs. Forget about trying to hand-hold it, even if you have arms as big as Schwarzeneggers. So, this is a great lens for bigger or closer wildlife, but its not the right choice for all wildlife photographers. That's why, in my opinion, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is the best bird photography lens for the money at a touch over $2000 (or significantly cheaper pre-owned). Then there's the full frame pro or serious enthusiast DSLR body with a Canon or Nikon 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, or even an 800mm prime lens. One of my favorite lenses for photographing birds at my feeders is the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED. Surprisingly u didnt included Nikon 200-500 /f5.6 lens one of the best selling lens for wildlife photography. You can switch focus mode by simply turning the focus ring. lighter. In fact, Nikon specifically released the TC-20E III together with this lens, which makes this lens almost like a reference lens for use with teleconverters (with the TC-20E III, the lens becomes a 600mm f/5.6 lens). The upgraded VR II provides three stops of image stabilization. VR is Vibration Reduction that minimizes blur due to camera shake. It is a workhorse tool used by professionals for sports, wildlife and portrait photography. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{active_palette:0,config:{colors:{62516:{name:Main Accent,parent:-1}},gradients:[]},palettes:[{name:Default Palette,value:{colors:{62516:{val:var(tcb-color-4) ,hsl:{h:46,s:0.87,l:0.58}}},gradients:[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{active_palette:0,config:{colors:{62516:{name:Main Accent,parent:-1}},gradients:[]},palettes:[{name:Default Palette,value:{colors:{62516:{val:var(tcb-color-4),hsl:{h:46,s:0.8692,l:0.01}}},gradients:[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__. These enable different behaviors in the autofocus speed and stabilization effect, as well as fine-tuning for autofocus accuracy for individual camera bodies, plus the application of firmware updates. Hand-holding, the Nikon D500, feels better. It's not cheap, but less than half the price of the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. This recent addition to Sonys E-mount line-up has the same 600mm maximum focal length as Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm zooms for Canon and Nikon SLRs. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. Its built-in teleconverter means you can reach 560mm.